“If you're going to try, go all the way. Otherwise, don't even start. This could mean losing girlfriends, wives, relatives and maybe even your mind. It could mean not eating for three or four days. It could mean freezing on a park bench. It could mean jail. It could mean derision. It could mean mockery–isolation. Isolation is the gift. All the others are a test of your endurance, of how much you really want to do it. And, you'll do it, despite rejection and the worst odds. And it will be better than anything else you can imagine. If you're going to try, go all the way. There is no other feeling like that. You will be alone with the gods, and the nights will flame with fire. You will ride life straight to perfect laughter. It's the only good fight there is.” ― Charles Bukowski, Factotum

She’s got the sun and the moon in a velvet glove. Showers of diamonds fall from high above. She’s a vicious queen. She’s a little girl. I know she’s a cornerstone of the underworld.

That’s the kiss-ass generation we’re in right now. We’re really in a pussy generation. Everybody’s walking on eggshells. We see people accusing people of being racist and all kinds of stuff. When I grew up, those things weren’t called racist. And then when I did Gran Torino, even my associate said, “This is a really good script, but it’s politically incorrect.” And I said, “Good. Let me read it tonight.” The next morning, I came in and I threw it on his desk and I said, “We’re starting this immediately.”

ESQ: What is the “pussy generation”?

CE: All these people that say, “Oh, you can’t do that, and you can’t do this, and you can’t say that.” I guess it’s just the times

I am heading for Chicago tomorrow to celebrate the continued existence of a great friend and human being, Alex Zander! Alex has done so much for so many people expecting nothing in return. The world continues to be a better place thanks to the positive contributions of such a generous soul! Happy Birthday Alex and Best Wishes Always!

– Dale Patrick Bennett December 6 at 8:34 AM

Dale arrived later than he planned Friday as he sat in rush hour traffic going toward the city on a Friday during holiday shopping season. He was not happy to say the least but as Dale does, remained even tempered. He didn’t rant till the next morning when we journeyed up to Evanston. We brought a few loads of goods up the back stairs and then walked over to El Palmar, a rite of passage, for a late dinner. My Queso Funditio would stretch out through Sunday as I got 3 meals from the damned beast and even a mid slumber snack.

We got back to the house and I poured a glass of Templeton Rye that he brought for me, my first drink in a quite a long time and I opened the cards and gifts he and Anne put together for my birthday. We sat up till after 130AM chatting and watching Norm MacDonald YouTube collections. I hadn’t been up this late in months.

A used 1970 copy of Cohen’s 1969 collection from Dale.

Dale studies a diner menu

Saturday Dale was aching to get out on the road and start shopping. I kinda wanted to chill and enjoy my coffee, Evanston would be there. To his dismay we didn’t get out of the house till between 1030 and 11. He had his things by the door ready to go.

We took the scenic route by way of his Garmin tt Western which was a long process. I wonder it I took a taxi to work if that’s the way they’d go? Dale had a list of shops and antique stores he wanted to see. The first stop was Goodwill which was unkempt and kinda disheveled in comparison to the stores I see in Iowa which are organized more like actual markets.

Afterwards we hit an antique store and I found some more 1972 Nixon for President pins and Dale did some Xmas shopping. We were both very hungry so we went to eat lunch at Golden Olympic Restaurant 1608 Chicago Ave, Evanston, IL which I spied on my way to the office one morning earlier in the week. It was really good and I’m gonna have to pop in there more often before work. Then we hit a handful of other stores that Dale had on his list and before we split I stopped into the very impressive and even more expensive Vintage Vinyl Records 925 Davis St, Evanston, IL. It was very cool but highly priced. It’s the only store I’ve ever seen with a Kim Fowley section. For those who don’t don’t Kim and I were friends for years up until his death in 2015. There were maybe 5 of his LP’s and for me to purchase them would have been around $250. one was priced at $75.All I can say is that if what they charge is what vinyl is worth I’ sitting on a goldmine of a collection I began to build around 1978.

The Sherman Plaza – Barnes & Noble just may be the best B&N I’ve ever been to and a block away is Market Fresh Books 700 Church St, Evanston, IL that I pass everyday going to and from work. I’m going to have to go back there when I have some more time as it’s a virtual book enthusiasts mecca. Market Fresh Books has an eclectic but expansive selection of books. If you look closely, you can find some incredible gems that get glossed over. Books are priced by the pound, which is equally charming and cost-effective.

I came home and was exhausted. I wanted to take a nap but was too antsy and began craving ice cream so we ventured back into the cold and I made the mistake of taking Dale ice cream shopping which is an old story. That guy can spend 20 minutes in the ice cream section of a grocery store and luckily we just went to Walgreens.

Dale left for the Velvet Acid Christ concert around 730 and I watched a little TV took some Ambien and went into a much needed slumber. We had coffee Sunday morning and he was on the road by 1030AM. All in all it was a very nice visit from the best friend a human could ask for.

Anny the watercat watching us from Casa Diablo as we walked to Walgreens